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This is an infrared (IR) view of Mt. Jian in Japan erupting in 1983. IR "light" is a form of electromagnetic radiation given off by hot materials like lava.
Click on image for full size Daedalus Enterprises, Inc., Ann Arbor, MI

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Electromagnetic Radiation

Electromagnetic radiation is the result of oscillating electric and magnetic
fields. The wave of energy generated by such vibrations moves through space
at the speed of light. And well it should... for visible
light is indeed one
form of electromagnetic (EM) radiation.

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Radio waves are a type of electromagnetic radiation. A radio wave has a much longer wavelength than does visible light. We use radio waves extensively for communications. Radio waves have wavelengths as...more

Light is very strange. Sometimes it is best to think of light as a series of waves. At other times, it is useful to think of light as a swarm of particles. When we think of light as particles, we call...more

One main type of radiation, particle radiation, is the result of subatomic particles hurtling at tremendous speeds. Protons, cosmic rays, and alpha and beta particles are some of the most common types...more

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Photons are tiny bits of light and other kinds of electromagnetic radiation. Photons can sometimes break apart molecules. When this happens, it is called photodissociation. When a photon runs into a molecule,...more